Good UFO observers need to be aware of atmospheric weather conditions sometimes mistaken for UFOs. Clouds, ice, and blimps are frequently mistaken for UFOs. Here are actual examples from our readers to help you determine what you are actually seeing or photographing.

Photo 1: Lenticular Clouds

Lenticular clouds are smooth and can be very solid in appearance and are often mistakenly photographed for UFOs. These clouds are formed by very strong circular winds rounding off edges of clouds giving them a dome shaped appearance. This photograph is a good example of lenticular clouds. Note how middle cloud seems to have an upper and a lower dome adding to the illusion of a UFO.

Photo 2: Sun Dogs

Another atmospheric anomaly is the rainbow affect to the left or right of the sun in the western sky. The rainbow is created by sunlight shining through ice crystals in wispy cirrus clouds as high as 20,000 feet. If conditions are right, ice crystals serve as a prism, and split the sunlight into red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. This rainbow effect, known as a "sun dog," is easily visible through polarized sun glasses or the polarizing filter on a camera.